The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-03

l.
The 18th of October was propitious
day. The sun famed out purest light
and heat in the golden city. The ozone
of the atmosphere was stimulating
hearts with health and firing minds
with earnest thoughts. AS the sun
crossed the MONDAY line and shadows
began to lengthen, hacks were moving
out from hotels and busy feet were
pressing stony walks toward the wharf
where lay the City of Sydney, the steam
er about to leave for Japan. 1t was
now a busy, hurrying time upon the
wharf; passengers were going on board
the ship; friends were parting; go0dbys
we're being spoken; tears were falling;
hearts were rejoicing at the thought of
homeward bound.
At two O'Clock all were on board, Of
fcers, passengers and freight. The bell
was struck; the engine commenced to
work and puff; the wheels began to roll;
and the ship turned out gradually from,
it's moorings and soon was cutting cy-
clonely through the bay. On the left,
sitting upon its hundred hills, was the
city that has surprised the whole world
because OF its rapid growth. 1t has had
nc parallel in all the ages. In a thous-
and regards it is unlike any other mod
ern or ancient city. If the old Phone
clans were mere, they would say it was
built by the gods, because men could
not accomplish so much in so brief a
period. To the right is the city of Oak
land, already noted for its schools. A
little farther east is Berkeley, town
overlooked by the State University
AS the eye took in the aspect of water,
hill, vale, plain and curious things made
by God and man, the mind of the adj
mirer was thrilled. On approaching
the Golden Gate, wheels stopped, an
chors were dropped, and here there was
to be tarrying for the Pacific mails. All
kinds of crafts were floating in the bay
from all parts of the earth. Strong
bulwarks were guarding the heights.
Gulls were cutting their circles and
ducks were skimming the waters.
Rocks were bare and the turf was scar
ed. Still there was fascination in all
this which impaired joy to the wait
ing. Through the open Gate the Pa
cific was clearly visible. AS the sun
approached nearer and nearer the ocean,
the sky changed from silver to gold, and
then to amethyst. A more beautiful
picture was never painted. AS the twi-
light came rejecting the glow of sky
and water, and the immense space above
became flecked with revolving beacons,
and gaslights flared, and electric balls
flashed from the lowlands and highlands
of the city, all this was like a poem
from on high, sweeter than any mortal
bard had ever sung. 1t was as music
from the celestial choir.
At ten O'Clock the news from afar
was on board; anchors were once more
lifted; fires were renewed; and soon we
rode through the so-ealled Golden Gate,
and lo the City of Sydney was surely
bound across the broad Pacific.
Looking upon the CLASSY surface re-
fecting from below the armament
above, we felt we could understand why
Bilbao as he sailed from the south along
this coast should christen it the Pacific
waters, or ocean.
What a mystery always broOds over
the sea, whether in calm or storm! No
wonder the ancient Greek philosopher,
when he thought the best he could, and
concluded the earth was fiat and girdled
by vast river, should also infer that it
rested ON the shoulders of Atlas; and
that the sky was supported by the pill
lars of Hercules. 1t is.nOt strange that
afterward the wisest Greeks-in the
midst of polytheism-shOuld have as
signed the deep waters to the care
of Oceanus and his three thousand
nymphs.
But now what a joy to believe so
strongly after science has done the best
it could, and has helped mind far on,
that it is fact that God holds deep wa
ters as in the hollow of his own hand,
that they may minister to the wants of
his children, and be the greatest bless
ing to all the earth.
A. .,n,,oV - $1,000